Brent Kuhlman

+ Jesu Juva +

Matthew 11:2-15

John’s not quite sure about Jesus.  Having some doubts.  If Jesus is the Messiah, then where’s the Kingdom of heaven?  Where’s the Holy Spirit and fire?  If Jesus is the Messiah, then why isn’t everything set right?  Where’s the crack down on sinners?  If Jesus is the Mighty Messiah, then why was John arrested?  Why is John rotting in prison?  Why do the faithful suffer?     

Things are supposed to change with this Jesus.  Lives transformed.  Everything in the world set right.  The least Jesus could do is post John’s bail.  The very least Jesus could do is call on John in prison, pray for him and bless him.   

John’s not seeing any of this with Jesus.  So John sends a memo to Jesus:  “Are You the Expected One?  Are You the Messiah?  Are You the Promised Savior?  You sure don’t look it?  You sure don’t act like it?  Are You the Expected One?  Or should we start looking for someone else?  I’m really puzzled by you Jesus. I’m not so sure about you anymore.  Not sure I want you to be my Messiah anymore.  You’re just not doing it for me.” 

Does Jesus meet your expectations?  What do you expect?  In America it goes something like this:  get Jesus and you’ll be healthy.  Make Jesus the Lord of your life and you’ll be wealthy.  Get Jesus and your life will be turned around.  All problems solved the very second you decide to make Him the Lord and Master of your life.

But there we all sit.  Like John in prison.  Things in life don’t turn out like we planned.  Our lives seem to be rotting on the vine.  Family and marriage breakdowns.  Rebellious children.  Lose a job.  Fail a test. Get a disease.  Lose a friend.  Grow weaker, get older, death draws nearer.  We thought being a Christian would end all our problems.  And here we sit.  Like John in prison.  Life isn’t supposed to be like this.  And we begin to have our doubts.   

“Are you the Expected One Jesus?  Are you the Savior or not?  If so, then let’s see some action!  Get involved in our lives!  Get things turned around!  No offense Jesus.  But if you don’t want to be the Savior, then we can certainly start shopping around for another!  No skin off our nose.  We’re really starting to have doubts about you Jesus.” 

His answer to John’s disciples is:  “Go and report to John what you hear and see:  the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them.”    

That answer is a quote from God’s Word.  From the prophet Isaiah.  Isaiah 29:18-19.  Isaiah 35:5-6.  Isaiah 61:1.  Jesus gives doubting and about to be beheaded John God’s Word!  The very promise of the Messianic Age.  The very promise of God coming to rescue His people.  The very promise of the Savior.  And Jesus’ answer is:  “It’s all right before your very eyes John!  The time has come.  The kingdom of heaven is here!  I’m it!  Just watch me.  I’m just getting started.  The best is yet to come.  Just wait until I make one final trip to Jerusalem.”

Then Jesus extols John as the fulfillment of Bible prophecy.  John wasn’t a mere sideshow act or just a great man.  That John rotting away in prison is the promised prophet of the last days.  The promised Elijah to prepare people for the great and terrible Day of the Lord.  John is the greatest among anyone born of women.  Why?  Because he stood between the Old and New Testaments and preached the coming of Jesus.

And here Jesus is.  Doesn’t meet John’s expectations.  Doesn’t meet ours.  And we doubt.   

That’s because Jesus does the Messiah job His way.  He comes humbly.  In servant form.  Compared with John, Jesus is the least.  Jesus becomes a nothing.  He allows Himself to be rejected.  He suffers.  He dies.

Where’s the great and terrible Day of the Lord?  Where’s the wrath of God against an evil world and evil people?  On Jesus.  As He hangs on the Cross.  The Suffering Servant. 

See how the kingdom of heaven suffers violence!  King Jesus crucified!  Violent men take matters into their own hands.  Judas betrays Him.  Peter denies Him.  Pilate issues the death sentence.  The soldiers beat Him.  They hammer spikes into His hands and feet.  They hang His Body on the Cross.  King Jesus suffers.  King of heaven Jesus dies.  He is the Messiah.  He is the Savior.  For you.  For your salvation.

Scandalous?  Outrageous?  Of course.  But like John’s preaching, all I can do is offer you a bigger dose of Jesus and His Word of Promise.  Here goes. 

You are died for.  Your sins answered for.  Forgiven.  In Jesus, the violently crucified Savior.  The kingdom of heaven has come to you in your Baptism.  You bear the Name of the crucified on your bodies.  Your bodies are the dwelling places of the Holy Spirit because of that washing of regeneration.

The crucified but now risen and ascended Jesus brings the kingdom of heaven to you in His Supper.  You have forgiveness, life, and salvation with the Body and Blood that He gives you to consume.

Blessed are you.  Yes.  Blessed are you.  For the time of doubting is over.  Now is the time of believing.  No more bumbling and stumbling over Jesus.  He’s come for you.  And you belong to Him.  Look at His scars.  Eat and drink His Body and His Blood. He is the Expected One.  He is the Messiah.  He is the Savior.  There is no other.   

In Jesus’ Name.